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Message
A/C Evaporator Coil Leaking
Posted on 8/3/21 at 5:12 pm
Posted on 8/3/21 at 5:12 pm
My 1600sqft house currently has a 3 ton Lennox system with heat pump. It stopped blowing cold air and A/C tech have identified a leak in the evaporator coil as the culprit. The system is around 6 years old and out of warranty.
I'm hearing that due to supply issues, replacement coils cannot be had currently. And with no estimation on when stock will be available, my only option is to purchase a new air handler. Awaiting exact numbers but was told ballpark for replacement handler installed is 4k.
Anyone in the A/C business or has had a recent similar experience care to chime in? Seems a bit high to me but the contractor was knowledgeable and seems like he will do quality work. Also, is it a bad idea to mix brands on equipment? I'd hate to get another Lennox, given how soon this unit failed.
TIA
I'm hearing that due to supply issues, replacement coils cannot be had currently. And with no estimation on when stock will be available, my only option is to purchase a new air handler. Awaiting exact numbers but was told ballpark for replacement handler installed is 4k.
Anyone in the A/C business or has had a recent similar experience care to chime in? Seems a bit high to me but the contractor was knowledgeable and seems like he will do quality work. Also, is it a bad idea to mix brands on equipment? I'd hate to get another Lennox, given how soon this unit failed.
TIA
7
Posted on 8/3/21 at 6:52 pm to BassHorn
Just two weeks ago on a Friday my upstairs unit was blowing hot air.
Service guys determined it was an Evaporator Coil leak. Five year old, 2 ton Amana Heat Pump.
They pumped Freon to get me by for a couple days.
Said coil was still under warranty, would have to pay $300 labor to change it out
Coil was ordered on a Monday, came in Tuesday, changed out Wednesday.
Would have paid more, those poor bastards had to go in the attic, hot AF.
All good now, comfy 76.
South Lafourche
Service guys determined it was an Evaporator Coil leak. Five year old, 2 ton Amana Heat Pump.
They pumped Freon to get me by for a couple days.
Said coil was still under warranty, would have to pay $300 labor to change it out
Coil was ordered on a Monday, came in Tuesday, changed out Wednesday.
Would have paid more, those poor bastards had to go in the attic, hot AF.
All good now, comfy 76.
South Lafourche
Posted on 8/3/21 at 7:44 pm to BassHorn
average is $1500 a ton so $4500 is average.
that $4k price isnt bad but it may be a discount generic brand
that $4k price isnt bad but it may be a discount generic brand
Posted on 8/3/21 at 8:37 pm to BassHorn
I’ve read on professional HVAC forums that Lennox is among the worst in getting major replacement components, and that was even before Covid - I don’t know why that is - but of course it’s much worst today among all manufacturers since Covid and manufacturer/supply chain interruptions.
But I’d try to contact some other HVAC companies to see if another brand/manufacturer of evaporator coils could be substituted without having to replace the entire air handler since it’s only 6 years old.
If it’s not doable mixing brands of HVAC components is acceptable - done all the time - for varying reasons.
Are you not the purchaser of the original equipment b/c if you were it should have a 10 years parts warranty if registered by the installer or by you when installed. Evaporator coils leaking/failing after 6 years is common among all manufacturers not just Lennox.
But I’d try to contact some other HVAC companies to see if another brand/manufacturer of evaporator coils could be substituted without having to replace the entire air handler since it’s only 6 years old.
If it’s not doable mixing brands of HVAC components is acceptable - done all the time - for varying reasons.
Are you not the purchaser of the original equipment b/c if you were it should have a 10 years parts warranty if registered by the installer or by you when installed. Evaporator coils leaking/failing after 6 years is common among all manufacturers not just Lennox.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 9:46 pm to BassHorn
Sorry for your situation but supply inventory and global sourcing is a function of the manufacturer.
I wouldn't buy Lennox again.
FWIW my Trane air handler had a failed leaky coil under warranty and the A/C guys acted like they were doing me a solid by changing it out for $1500 in labor/materials so your price sounds great.
I hope all of these manufacturers learn their lesson on global components but I'm not holding my breath.
I wouldn't buy Lennox again.
FWIW my Trane air handler had a failed leaky coil under warranty and the A/C guys acted like they were doing me a solid by changing it out for $1500 in labor/materials so your price sounds great.
I hope all of these manufacturers learn their lesson on global components but I'm not holding my breath.
Posted on 8/4/21 at 7:56 am to BassHorn
No reason not to get multiple quotes OP. Look around to see who is a regular installer of the Lennox and go from there.
Most of them use the same supply houses though. You may get lucky finding a supply house in a different area but that’s not likely.
Most of them use the same supply houses though. You may get lucky finding a supply house in a different area but that’s not likely.
Posted on 8/4/21 at 9:58 am to BassHorn
If you watch them install new air handlers, usually the coil is packaged separately and installed at the end. I don't understand how they can't sell you a coil and yet have them for brand new air handlers.
100% call around. In fact, I'd hit up about every a/c company you know of until I was satisfied it was the right option.
100% call around. In fact, I'd hit up about every a/c company you know of until I was satisfied it was the right option.
Posted on 8/4/21 at 10:15 am to CrawDude
quote:
Are you not the purchaser of the original equipment b/c if you were it should have a 10 years parts warranty if registered by the installer or by you when installed.
Unfortunately, I'm not the original purchaser. It was installed in the home(new construction) in 2015, and I purchased the home in 2019 from the original owners. It's frustrating, as there's even a class action settlement against Lennox for these defective coils but I do not qualify as a class member due to not being the original purchaser/owner of the system.
Thanks for all the replies. I'll be calling around for additional quotes today.
Posted on 8/4/21 at 10:31 am to BassHorn
For those that are interested I came across this research report yesterday from Carrier that discusses the most common causes of indoor evaporator coil failures after several + years LINK.
The newer evaporator coils made from 100% aluminum, vs copper, are supposed to to mitigate these types of leakage failures.
The newer evaporator coils made from 100% aluminum, vs copper, are supposed to to mitigate these types of leakage failures.
Posted on 8/4/21 at 12:37 pm to BassHorn
It’s pretty sad reading about all these problems people have with 7k-10k ac systems that after 5 years have leaking coils, etc. Quality of products have really gone down the drain
Posted on 8/4/21 at 3:09 pm to OU812ME2
quote:
If you watch them install new air handlers, usually the coil is packaged separately and installed at the end. I don't understand how they can't sell you a coil and yet have them for brand new air handlers.
Parts are really hard to come by right now. I'm not in the industry, but I own a bunch of residential AC units and that's been the story since Covid started. I'm not sure why exactly, but yes its easier to replace an entire unit then find a part. I think they are just behind in general on manufacturing and its likely a more profitable and streamlined business model for them until they can get their employees back up and lines running normally.
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